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[FR]The Return of the Heroes of the Vilhon Reach (updated 8/20!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Broccli_Head" data-source="post: 1254995" data-attributes="member: 105"><p><strong>Chaos in the Underdark, part I, Highharvestide,1378 DR,Year of the Cauldron</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>HALT! WHO DARES APPROACH THE CITADEL OF IRONFANG DEEP</strong></span>, came a booming voice that echoed menacingly across the upland vale. </p><p></p><p>The Heroes of the Reach began to argue amongst themselves, even as Benito Moltos continued to approach. </p><p></p><p><em>sigh</em> "Too many egos," commented Aris dryly not partaking in the squabble that the rest of the group had begun. </p><p></p><p>Benito had turned around to <em>shush</em> the other heroes and could not give his response. While his hushing had not worked, a huge metal ballista bolt sailing over their heads from the gatehouse did. That allowed Benito to finally respond.</p><p></p><p>"We are the Heroes of the Reach! High Priest Gwarlen Ironhammer is expecting us!"</p><p></p><p>There was no immediate response, and several of the more perceptive heroes heard the reloading of the ballista.</p><p></p><p>"Maybe you got the wrong place, Benito," suggested Ivan cynically. </p><p></p><p>Benito and Aris both narrowed their eyes at him while the rest of the group chuckled. </p><p></p><p>Ariod wondered to himself and then asked Aris out loud, "How have you lasted this long?"</p><p></p><p>Already not pleased with the lack of seriousness about the group in such a delicate matter and also recalling the Faerun-shaking event that had occured the last time the Starym Moonblade had surfaced, he replied to their new party member, "Sometimes I feel it is only by Tymora's luck, my friend...Tymora's luck."</p><p></p><p>The group heard the grating of metal on metal and finally the black gates of Ironfang Deep opened. Nearly a dozen Dwarves in full plate armor wielding glaives marched from the opening. Behind them, Benito recognized the old High Priest of Moradin and his nephew and apprentice, Dwalin that he had met years ago. </p><p></p><p>"Hail and well met," Benito spoke the traditional Faerunian greeting in dwarven.</p><p></p><p>The old priest bowed and Dwalin spoke smiling and in good spirits, "Good to see you. Everything should be ready and in order."</p><p></p><p>Their armored escort fell in behind them as the mighty portal to the outside was closed with resounding <em>BOOM!</em>. Lantern and torchlight replaced the bright sunlight from the outside, and Dwalin led them under the murder holes of the gatehouse, past another porticullus, and across a bridge that spanned a chasm. It led to another gatehouse that finally opened into a wide avenue. </p><p></p><p>Looking about himself, Aris wished that he had dwarven engineers working on the defenses of his castle. Ariod felt a little claustrophobic and remained silent while the rest of the group either gawked at the impressive architecture or cracked jokes in an attempt to strike a conversation with the sullen guards that led them through the stone passages of the Keep. </p><p></p><p>At length, Dwalin spoke as they moved past Ironfang Deep's outer defenses.</p><p></p><p>"We are very grateful, Benito Moltos for you and your companion's recovery of the mighy book of Moradin's prayers. It has aided us greatly in our Great Campaign against the Darkness."</p><p></p><p>"Your defenses are very impressive. Who, in their right mind would attack the citadel? What is this war of which you speak?"</p><p></p><p>Benito learend that for many years, possibly as many as fifty, the dwarves of Ironfang Deep had been at war with duergar, their dark dwarven cousins, from something called the Steel Kingdom. In fact two major duergar settlements existed beneath the Orsaun Mountains and only the Aloreum prevented them from gaining more ground in the local Underdark. </p><p></p><p>After their discussion, Dwalin concluded, "We are always wary of a duergar sneak attack. But enough of such bleak talk, the King of Ironfang Deep, Anthrus Strongarms, wishes to meet with you before you conduct your business."</p><p></p><p>Benito replied, "We would be honored. The object is safe; is it not?"</p><p></p><p>Dwalin nodded his head.</p><p></p><p>"Then I believe we can take some time to properly meet your king."</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>Dwalin led them through an armory to a wider chamber that looked like a martial practice room. More weapons of exceptional quality lined the walls and wooden practice dummies lay positioned about the room. A well-muscled dwarven male, shirtless, with a full white beard and a shaven head sparred in a circle of several other dwarves of equally impressive physique. Aris raised an eyebrow as he saw that they practiced with real weapons, but that in their forms they had such control that they would stop inches short of a mortal blow. Usually the older dwarf got the upper hand, but finally one of the younger ones ended the spar with a draw, both combatants having their axe-blade within a finger's breadth of the other's neck. </p><p></p><p>This led to a resounding clap from the other dwarves in the room. Aris, Ariod, and Benito clapped sincerely as well, while Grim and Ellysidell followed suit, not paying attention really. Ivan narrowed his eyes. </p><p></p><p>Kyros made a snide and disrespectful remark--something to the effect of a good dwarf is a dead dwarf. Fortunately, none of the dwarves heard, but Aris, who did hear was quickly in the psychic warrior's face. </p><p></p><p>"I hope very well for your sake, Kyros, that you are not trying to cause trouble simply because you are bored. Because if you are, perhaps you should leave this company," he hissed.</p><p></p><p>Kyros averted his eyes downward also seeing the small shadow of Grim standing behind him. </p><p></p><p>"Will you behave?" asked Aris.</p><p></p><p>Kyros nodded his head. Ariod smirked remembering Aris's earlier comments.</p><p></p><p>In any event, the coridality continued...</p><p></p><p>"Well done, my King!" exclaimed Dwalin. "Here are the honored guests that you wished to meet."</p><p></p><p>Sweaty and full of adrenalin from the mock combat, King Strongarms shook hand and embraced most of the heroes. Some were taken aback by his informality but now Ivan was impressed. He gave back a good Rashemani bear lodge hug. </p><p></p><p>"Do any of you want to test your swords against the axe of the king?" asked the dwarven king.</p><p></p><p>He looked at Ivan Vorshev. The room had grown quiet. The other dwarves were tense. Ivan thought quickly and replied, "Ahaa! My good king. I would love to, but at a future time. We have pressing business to attend to hear in your citadel."</p><p></p><p>Benito breathed a sigh of relief. King Anthrus Strongarms looked disappointed but shrugged his shoulders and rebuttled, "Then when you are done, a drink of our fine dwarven ale. I will not take 'no' for an answer."</p><p></p><p>The heroes agreed and after equally blustery farewells, once again followed Dwalin through the dwarven halls. Benito and Dwalin struck up a philosophical and theological conversation as he led them down steps and past dwarven statues further and further into Ironfang Deep. They passed rune-covered portals and more stone guardians and finally reached an inner sanctum filled with all sorts of treasure. </p><p></p><p>Aris looked at Grim, who growled at him. He sent to the genasi, <em>You think I'm stupid? Of course I won't take anything from here!</em></p><p></p><p>"Well," said Dwalin passing from the first treasure-room to another chamber, "Here is your object. We have been keeping it safe and are finally glad to be rid of it especially if it is as bad as you say."</p><p></p><p>He pointed to a rune-covered block of stone smiling. </p><p></p><p>...except the top of the stone was empty. There was no sword and no case. </p><p></p><p>The Starym Moonblade was gone!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Broccli_Head, post: 1254995, member: 105"] [B]Chaos in the Underdark, part I, Highharvestide,1378 DR,Year of the Cauldron[/B] [SIZE=3][B]HALT! WHO DARES APPROACH THE CITADEL OF IRONFANG DEEP[/B][/SIZE], came a booming voice that echoed menacingly across the upland vale. The Heroes of the Reach began to argue amongst themselves, even as Benito Moltos continued to approach. [I]sigh[/I] "Too many egos," commented Aris dryly not partaking in the squabble that the rest of the group had begun. Benito had turned around to [I]shush[/I] the other heroes and could not give his response. While his hushing had not worked, a huge metal ballista bolt sailing over their heads from the gatehouse did. That allowed Benito to finally respond. "We are the Heroes of the Reach! High Priest Gwarlen Ironhammer is expecting us!" There was no immediate response, and several of the more perceptive heroes heard the reloading of the ballista. "Maybe you got the wrong place, Benito," suggested Ivan cynically. Benito and Aris both narrowed their eyes at him while the rest of the group chuckled. Ariod wondered to himself and then asked Aris out loud, "How have you lasted this long?" Already not pleased with the lack of seriousness about the group in such a delicate matter and also recalling the Faerun-shaking event that had occured the last time the Starym Moonblade had surfaced, he replied to their new party member, "Sometimes I feel it is only by Tymora's luck, my friend...Tymora's luck." The group heard the grating of metal on metal and finally the black gates of Ironfang Deep opened. Nearly a dozen Dwarves in full plate armor wielding glaives marched from the opening. Behind them, Benito recognized the old High Priest of Moradin and his nephew and apprentice, Dwalin that he had met years ago. "Hail and well met," Benito spoke the traditional Faerunian greeting in dwarven. The old priest bowed and Dwalin spoke smiling and in good spirits, "Good to see you. Everything should be ready and in order." Their armored escort fell in behind them as the mighty portal to the outside was closed with resounding [I]BOOM![/I]. Lantern and torchlight replaced the bright sunlight from the outside, and Dwalin led them under the murder holes of the gatehouse, past another porticullus, and across a bridge that spanned a chasm. It led to another gatehouse that finally opened into a wide avenue. Looking about himself, Aris wished that he had dwarven engineers working on the defenses of his castle. Ariod felt a little claustrophobic and remained silent while the rest of the group either gawked at the impressive architecture or cracked jokes in an attempt to strike a conversation with the sullen guards that led them through the stone passages of the Keep. At length, Dwalin spoke as they moved past Ironfang Deep's outer defenses. "We are very grateful, Benito Moltos for you and your companion's recovery of the mighy book of Moradin's prayers. It has aided us greatly in our Great Campaign against the Darkness." "Your defenses are very impressive. Who, in their right mind would attack the citadel? What is this war of which you speak?" Benito learend that for many years, possibly as many as fifty, the dwarves of Ironfang Deep had been at war with duergar, their dark dwarven cousins, from something called the Steel Kingdom. In fact two major duergar settlements existed beneath the Orsaun Mountains and only the Aloreum prevented them from gaining more ground in the local Underdark. After their discussion, Dwalin concluded, "We are always wary of a duergar sneak attack. But enough of such bleak talk, the King of Ironfang Deep, Anthrus Strongarms, wishes to meet with you before you conduct your business." Benito replied, "We would be honored. The object is safe; is it not?" Dwalin nodded his head. "Then I believe we can take some time to properly meet your king." ** Dwalin led them through an armory to a wider chamber that looked like a martial practice room. More weapons of exceptional quality lined the walls and wooden practice dummies lay positioned about the room. A well-muscled dwarven male, shirtless, with a full white beard and a shaven head sparred in a circle of several other dwarves of equally impressive physique. Aris raised an eyebrow as he saw that they practiced with real weapons, but that in their forms they had such control that they would stop inches short of a mortal blow. Usually the older dwarf got the upper hand, but finally one of the younger ones ended the spar with a draw, both combatants having their axe-blade within a finger's breadth of the other's neck. This led to a resounding clap from the other dwarves in the room. Aris, Ariod, and Benito clapped sincerely as well, while Grim and Ellysidell followed suit, not paying attention really. Ivan narrowed his eyes. Kyros made a snide and disrespectful remark--something to the effect of a good dwarf is a dead dwarf. Fortunately, none of the dwarves heard, but Aris, who did hear was quickly in the psychic warrior's face. "I hope very well for your sake, Kyros, that you are not trying to cause trouble simply because you are bored. Because if you are, perhaps you should leave this company," he hissed. Kyros averted his eyes downward also seeing the small shadow of Grim standing behind him. "Will you behave?" asked Aris. Kyros nodded his head. Ariod smirked remembering Aris's earlier comments. In any event, the coridality continued... "Well done, my King!" exclaimed Dwalin. "Here are the honored guests that you wished to meet." Sweaty and full of adrenalin from the mock combat, King Strongarms shook hand and embraced most of the heroes. Some were taken aback by his informality but now Ivan was impressed. He gave back a good Rashemani bear lodge hug. "Do any of you want to test your swords against the axe of the king?" asked the dwarven king. He looked at Ivan Vorshev. The room had grown quiet. The other dwarves were tense. Ivan thought quickly and replied, "Ahaa! My good king. I would love to, but at a future time. We have pressing business to attend to hear in your citadel." Benito breathed a sigh of relief. King Anthrus Strongarms looked disappointed but shrugged his shoulders and rebuttled, "Then when you are done, a drink of our fine dwarven ale. I will not take 'no' for an answer." The heroes agreed and after equally blustery farewells, once again followed Dwalin through the dwarven halls. Benito and Dwalin struck up a philosophical and theological conversation as he led them down steps and past dwarven statues further and further into Ironfang Deep. They passed rune-covered portals and more stone guardians and finally reached an inner sanctum filled with all sorts of treasure. Aris looked at Grim, who growled at him. He sent to the genasi, [i]You think I'm stupid? Of course I won't take anything from here![/I] "Well," said Dwalin passing from the first treasure-room to another chamber, "Here is your object. We have been keeping it safe and are finally glad to be rid of it especially if it is as bad as you say." He pointed to a rune-covered block of stone smiling. ...except the top of the stone was empty. There was no sword and no case. The Starym Moonblade was gone! [/QUOTE]
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